From Zach LaVine’s shooting to Alex Caruso’s defense, here’s a look into the crystal ball
When a team finishes close to .500 at 40-42 and returns 12 of 14 players, it’s hard to make any bold proclamations or predictions about it.
Thus, this season’s victory total will land directly in the middle of the last two seasons at 43. That projects to be enough to qualify them for at least the play-in tournament or perhaps even the sixth seed. LaVine enters this season looking lively and athletic and talking about how good his body feels. Coach Billy Donovan has talked about the desire to place LaVine in more catch-and-shoot opportunities, where he’s elite, rather than late-clock shots off the dribble.Coby White will keep his starting point guard spot
But learning how to control tempo, make reads, get guys in their preferred spots, ride hot hands, prop up cold ones . . . there’s a lot for a starting point guard to do. And not only has the organization showed faith in White by signing him to a long-term deal, the coaching staff gave him first shot at starting.
Offensively is where the Bulls need to take a jump. And they will but not enough to crack the top 10. But with White starting and Carter not afraid to let it fly from the reserve unit, the Bulls have a more offensive-minded rotation.This one doesn’t need much in the way of explanation. Caruso is a savant at this end who plays with such attention to detail and anticipation that if he’s healthy, he’ll land on this team for years to come.Whether this is a good or bad thing is in the eye of the beholder.